V&A workers ballot for strike over pay and heatwave conditions
Workers at the Victoria and Albert Museum are voting on strike action due to concerns about pay, extreme temperatures, and lack of access to drinking water.
More than 300 staff at four Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) sites in London have begun balloting for potential strike action. The Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) launched the ballot on 23 July, citing serious unresolved concerns affecting workers across the museum.
The union is demanding a minimum 4% pay increase, a policy to close public areas when temperatures exceed 30°C, heat mitigation measures for back-of-house staff, and permission for workers at V&A East Storehouse to carry and drink water while on duty rather than waiting for relief.
PCS also calls for the V&A to become an accredited London living wage employer. The current London living wage is £14.80 per hour. While the museum confirms all directly employed staff are paid at least this rate, outsourced contractors are not, and the V&A has not yet obtained accreditation, stating it will review the matter later this year. Notably, V&A Dundee is already an accredited living wage employer.
Nick Marro, PCS culture secretary, said management refuses to allow staff to carry or drink water, refuses to become a living wage accredited employer, and claims it cannot afford a decent pay rise. He described the situation as unfair and unsafe.
Separately, the Prospect trade union is also balloting its V&A members over pay and conditions, with its ballot closing on 29 July.
The V&A responded that negotiations have been ongoing since February. Their offer includes a 3.6% increase in the overall pay bill, an above-inflation minimum pay award, and a 6.9% increase for the lowest-paid staff. The museum maintains its commitment to paying at least the London living wage. During heatwaves, they implemented additional rest breaks, increased staff rotation, closed several galleries at South Kensington, and completely closed Young V&A on 11 days. Regarding water access at the Storehouse, the museum stated that for security of national collections, food and drink are not permitted during appointments, and visitors are accompanied by staff.
